The BOP Denies
98% of Grievances.
We Fight That Number.
The federal grievance process was not designed to work — it was designed to produce denials. Forms go missing. Deadlines are enforced selectively. The same institution being accused of wrongdoing decides whether your complaint moves forward. Remedy Navigators was built to fight through every one of those roadblocks — and to start changing that number.
What the BOP Doesn't Want You to Know
Cases on Record
10 years (2014-2024) of FOIA data
Denied or Rejected
the BOP says no almost every time
Favorable Outcomes
system-wide success rate
Cases Filed Per Year
average over the last 5 years
Source: The Remedy Project / Data Liberation Project — 65,712 FOIA records from the BOP Administrative Remedy Program (01/2000–06/2024)
I founded this service because of one number: less than 1%.
That is the percentage of administrative remedy cases in which the Bureau of Prisons grants a favorable outcome. I know what that number feels like from the inside — not as a statistic, but as a lived reality. I filed grievances. I watched them disappear. I watched legitimate complaints get buried by a system that is designed, at every level, to say no.
What I also know — and what most people don't — is that the less-than-1% isn't the point. The point is that you have to file anyway. Under federal law, a prisoner must exhaust the grievance process before a federal court will hear their civil rights case. That means the process isn't optional. It isn't a long shot you can skip. It is the only path to justice that exists.
I built Remedy Navigators so that families on the outside have someone in their corner who has been on both sides of that system. You shouldn't have to become a legal expert to protect someone you love. We don't promise miracles. We promise that your loved one's case will be filed correctly, on time, with every piece of documentation in place. That is the foundation everything else is built on.
Listen to the Full Story
Why the BOP Denies 98% of Grievances
A narration by Matt Dispensa, Founder · 6 min 38 sec
Matt Dispensa
Founder, Remedy Navigators
No Other Service Has Both Perspectives.
Our team includes people who have been inside federal and state prisons and people who have run grievance systems from the inside — in both BOP and state DOC facilities. That combination is unique, and it's the foundation of everything we do.
We've Been Inside.
Several members of our team are formerly incarcerated individuals who personally navigated the administrative remedy process — and experienced firsthand the roadblocks, the retaliation, the missing forms, and the frustration of a system designed to wear you down.
We know what it feels like to have a legitimate complaint and no idea how to make it count. And we know what it means to have someone on the outside fighting for you. That's exactly why we built this service.
We've Run the System.
Other members of our team are contributors with direct Bureau of Prisons and DOC administrative experience who processed grievances, trained staff on the remedy process, and understand exactly how decisions are made — and how complaints are buried — at every level of the BOP.
We know the internal policies, the unwritten rules, and the key factors that move cases forward. That institutional knowledge is now working for you.
The System Tries to Stop Your Loved One.
We Know Every Move It Makes.
Many prisons try to block complaints before they go anywhere. Forms disappear. Staff say they can't help. Deadlines get messed with. People get threatened for speaking up. These things really happen — and they happen on purpose.
Our team has seen it from both sides. We know every trick — and we know exactly how to stop it from hurting your loved one's case.
Forms Withheld
Staff say they don't have the forms you need. This is a trick to make your deadline run out before you can file. We know how to get around it.
Papers Go Missing
You file your complaint and it disappears. No record. No receipt. Like it never happened. We send everything certified mail so there's always proof.
Threats & Retaliation
Some staff threaten inmates who file complaints. They may move your housing or your job. This is illegal. We document it and report it.
Fake Rejections
Your complaint gets turned down for reasons that aren't even real rules. They hope you'll give up. We know BOP policy inside and out — we push back.
Records Blocked
You ask for the incident report or medical records and nothing comes. Your deadline passes. We know how to get the records you need in time.
Staff Corruption
The same staff involved in your complaint are the ones handling your grievance. That's a conflict of interest. We escalate it to outside oversight agencies.
We Handle Every Roadblock So You Don't Have To
When your family joins, you get a full team in your corner. We know every trick in the book — because we've seen them from both sides. We build paper trails that can't be ignored. We report corruption to the right agencies. We make sure your loved one's complaint gets where it needs to go.
The BOP's Grievance Process Was Built to Fail
Whether your loved one is in a federal BOP facility or a state prison, the law requires exhaustion before filing a federal civil rights lawsuit. Before any complaint can go to federal court, a prisoner must first exhaust the prison's internal grievance process. This is called the Administrative Remedy Process — and it is required for federal civil rights claims under the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a).
In the federal system (BOP), that means four specific steps — BP-8 through BP-11 — with strict 20-day deadlines at each stage. In state systems, the steps and deadlines vary by state: Texas gives you just 15 days, Georgia only 10. The process looks different, but the stakes are identical.
Miss a deadline by even one day, skip a step, or use the wrong form — and a judge can throw out your entire case. That's true whether you're in a federal penitentiary or a state correctional facility. We're here to make sure that doesn't happen to you.
Federal prisoners must complete all four steps in order before a court will hear their case. Each step has a strict deadline. State prisoners follow a similar multi-step process — see our state guides for your state's specific forms and deadlines.
Talk to Your Counselor
The first step is an informal conversation with your unit counselor. Think of it as giving the facility a chance to fix the problem before it becomes a formal complaint.
Write to the Warden
If the counselor doesn't resolve the issue, you submit a written formal complaint to the Warden. This is where your case gets an official tracking number in the BOP system.
Appeal to the Region
Still not resolved? You send your appeal to the Regional Director's office. This step requires including one complete copy of all prior filings. We strongly recommend certified mail for proof of timely filing.
Final Appeal to Washington
The last step before you can go to court. You appeal to the BOP's Central Office in Washington, D.C. Once this is complete, you've done everything the law requires.
What Happens When a Deadline Is Missed
A dismissal for failure to exhaust is technically 'without prejudice' — but in practice, it is almost always permanent. The BOP does not accept late filings, and the statute of limitations does not wait. By the time a judge dismisses the case, the window to fix it has usually already closed.
The Case Gets Dismissed — And It Rarely Can Be Reopened
When a judge dismisses a case for failure to exhaust the administrative process, the dismissal is technically 'without prejudice' — but the BOP's own deadline to file grievances has already passed. There is no way to go back and exhaust. The door is closed.
The Statute of Limitations Closes the Window
Most federal civil rights claims have a 2–3 year statute of limitations. The grievance process alone takes 6+ months. If the case is dismissed and that clock has run, you cannot refile — even if you could exhaust now. Time doesn't wait.
Years of Work Gone in a Single Day
Some families spend years documenting a valid complaint. Then one missed deadline or one wrong form causes a judge to throw it out. The paperwork matters just as much as what happened. We make sure it's never the reason they lose.
REAL CASE EXAMPLE — Woodford v. Ngo, U.S. Supreme Court, 2006
An inmate filed a grievance about his prison conditions, but submitted it one day after the deadline. The BOP rejected it as late. He filed a lawsuit anyway, arguing that he had at least tried to go through the process. The Supreme Court disagreed: trying is not enough. The process must be completed properly. The case was dismissed — and because the BOP's deadline to file the grievance had already passed, there was no way to go back and fix it.
One day late. A valid complaint. The door closed permanently.
We Take the Burden Off Your Shoulders
We Fill Out Every Form for You
From the very first complaint all the way to the final appeal in Washington, D.C. — we prepare every form with the right words, the right attachments, and the right rules cited.
We Watch Every Deadline
Missing a deadline is the number one reason cases get thrown out. We keep a calendar for your case and make sure nothing is ever filed late. Not once.
We Keep Copies of Everything
We save a copy of every form filed and every response received. If you ever go to court, you'll have a complete paper trail ready to go.
We Fight Every Roadblock
If forms go missing, staff refuse to help, or someone tries to scare you into giving up — we document it, report it, and make sure it doesn't stop your case.
Here's What We Do for You
When you become a member, our team handles all of this — so you don't have to:
Families Just Like Yours
These are real stories, shared with permission. Names and details have been changed to protect privacy. Every situation is different — but the feeling of not knowing what to do next is something many families share.
"My son had been complaining about his medical situation for months and nothing was happening. I had no idea there was a formal process we were supposed to be following the whole time. By the time I found Remedy Navigators, we had already missed some steps. They reviewed everything, explained what options we still had, and helped us file what we could. For the first time in months, I felt like someone was genuinely in our corner — not just telling me there was nothing to be done."
A mother from Texas
Son incarcerated at a state facility in Texas
"The facility 'lost' my husband's BP-9 forms twice. When I called, they told me there was nothing they could do. Remedy Navigators told me exactly what to do: send everything certified mail, keep the receipts, and file a complaint with the OIG. Once we had a paper trail, the forms stopped going missing. Knowing I wasn't alone in this changed everything."
A wife from Ohio
Husband incarcerated at a federal BOP facility in the Midwest
"We signed up before anything had even happened because a friend told us how easy it is to mess up the process. When my brother did have an incident with a staff member, we were already enrolled. The team jumped on it immediately — every deadline met, every form correct. I just had to be there for my brother. They handled the rest."
A sister from Florida
Brother incarcerated at a state facility in Florida
"I spent six months trying to understand the system on my own. I read everything I could find, but every time I thought I understood it, I'd hit another rule or deadline I didn't know about. Remedy Navigators cut through all of it. They told me exactly what I needed, when, and why. My son has a valid complaint. Now he has a real chance of having it heard."
A father from Georgia
Son incarcerated at a federal BOP facility
Stories are anonymized and shared with permission. Names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy.
Know Another Family Who Needs Our Help?
Share a pre-written message — by text, email, or copy it to send yourself. Earn 1 free month for every family you help →
Fight the System. Change the Number.
We educate families about the rights their loved one still holds. We empower them with the knowledge, tools, and step-by-step guidance to act on their loved one's behalf — clearly, correctly, and on time. And when the system fails to listen, we advocate relentlessly — so your loved one's voice is heard.
A properly filed complaint has the best chance of being resolved right where it starts. But when the system fails — when complaints are ignored and court becomes the only option — our members walk in with everything they need. Every form filed. Every deadline met. Every step documented. A complete record that no judge can dismiss.
Answer 3 Questions
Tell us who you are, whether an incident has happened, and where you stand on deadlines. We'll point you to exactly what you need.
Calculate Your Deadlines
Enter the date of the incident and instantly see every filing deadline — from the first informal complaint all the way to the final appeal. Free, no sign-up required.
You Don't Have to Do This Alone.
We're Here to Help.
The clock starts the moment something happens. Deadlines are short. The process is confusing. And the prison may try to stop you. You don't have to figure it out alone. Our team is ready to step in, take over, and fight for you — every step of the way.
What Happens If You Don't File?
The administrative remedy process is not optional. Under the Prison Litigation Reform Act, a federal court cannot hear your case unless you have completed every step first.
Your Case Gets Dismissed
A judge has no choice but to dismiss a lawsuit if the plaintiff has not exhausted administrative remedies. It doesn't matter how valid the complaint is — the law requires every step to be completed first.
You Lose the Right to Sue
Once the statute of limitations expires, you permanently lose the ability to bring your complaint to federal court — even if you later complete the internal process. The window closes and does not reopen.
Years of Work Disappear
Some families spend years building a case, gathering evidence, and working with attorneys — only to have it thrown out because of one missed form or one late filing. The paperwork matters as much as the facts.
Facilities Under Scrutiny
Real data from 65,712 BOP FOIA records. These facilities have the highest denial rates for Medical Care.
RAY BROOK FCI
Warden: not disclosed
LORETTO FCI
Warden: not disclosed
Source: BOP FOIA records (2000–2024). Warden names from public records. BOP does not publish this information on their website.
View Full StatisticsFounded by
Former Inmates
who personally navigated the BOP remedy process
Staffed by
Contributors with BOP & DOC Experience
with direct administrative experience inside the system
Serving families
Across the Country
navigating the federal BOP system
Committed to
Zero Procedural Errors
our goal on every case we handle
Have a Question?
Ask Tara — Right Now.
Tara is our free AI assistant trained specifically on the federal administrative remedy process. She can answer your questions, explain each step, calculate your deadlines, and tell you exactly what to do next — in plain English or Spanish, 24/7.
What families ask Tara
Not Sure Where to Start?
The administrative remedy process can be overwhelming. Our specialists have helped hundreds of families navigate it successfully. Let us review your case — no obligation, no pressure.